US3921340A

US3921340A - Magnetic head surface formation apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: US3921340A
Application number: US450139A
Authority: US
Inventors: Larry A Johnson; Neil L Robinson; Richard H Strang; Gary G Vair
Original assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Current assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Priority date: 1974-03-11
Filing date: 1974-03-11
Publication date: 1975-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-25
Also published as: IT1031232B; JPS5431886B2; JPS50132914A

Abstract

A head is moved toward and rotated against an abrasive while its resistance is monitored by a four-lead bridge. Two leads from the head are connected to two slip rings, and each slip ring has two pairs of brushes, each wire from the bridge going to a different brush pair. Head movement toward the abrasive is terminated when a predetermined head resistance is detected by the bridge.

Description

United States Patent [191 Johnson et al.

111 3,921,340 [451 Nov. 25, 1975 MAGNETIC HEAD SURFACE FORMATION APPARATUS AND METHOD [75] Inventors: Larry A. Johnson, Longmont; Neil L. Robinson, Boulder; Richard H.

Strang, Arvada; Gary G. Vair, Boulder, all of Colo.

[73] Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY.

[22] Filed: Mar. 11, 1974 [2l] Appl. No.: 450,l39

[52] U.S. Cl. 51/165 R; 51/28] R [5 l] Int. Cl. B24B 49/10 [58] Field of Search 51/165 R, 281 R. 327. 15;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Rus ..5l/l6SRX 3.l05.288 10/1963 Johnson 51/327 X 3.438,l55 4/1969 B0uvier.... 5l/l65 R 3,68L682 8/1972 Cox i 29/603 X 3,69l,695 9/1972 Green 5l/l65 R X 3,702,042 ll/l972 Cochranm. 5 H165 R X 3,787,638 l/l974 Murai 5l/l65 R UX Primary Examiner-Harold D. Whitehead Arrorney, Agent, or Firm-Gunter A. Hauptman [57] ABSTRACT A head is moved toward and rotated against an abrasive while its resistance is monitored by a four-lead bridge. Two leads from the head are connected to two slip rings, and each slip ring has two pairs of brushes, each wire from the bridge going to a different brush pair. Head movement toward the abrasive is terminated when a predetermined head resistance is de tected by the bridge.

23 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheetl0f4 3,921,340

RESET f 214 FIG. 2B

RING COUNTER HEAD ROTATION FIG. 2C

START D m s N R E S E N M R A .l U m0 R E 0 RT T C S EL Dufl DH RA E E VI 6 F W A 4 NS L 2 2 WA D| IJ 0E B2 4 DM DH 2 7 4 M V 2 b0 i 6 4 0 M 5 2 F 2 Fl/ rr 0 /E| R 54 2 1 2 5 5 2 2 f p in T 1d 4 a '75 T 2 K 2 W 0 e c U L p 9 H 3 H 5 H W 4T 2: L n n vA U.S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet4 0r4 3,921,340

B 3 m F MAGNETIC HEAD SURFACE FORMATION APPARATUS AND METHOD CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Ser. No. 450,137, Apparatus and Method for Controlling Magnetic Head Surface Formation, by S. T. Riddle and G. G. Vair, and Ser. No. 450,138, Magnetic Head Assembly," by R. D. Brower and N. L. Robinson filed on even date herewith, claim different aspects of the invention described herein.

The invention herein is an improvement over the apparatus and method described in Ser. No. 296,688, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,821,815 Apparatus for Batch- Fabricating Magnetic Film Heads and Method Therefor, by Abbott et al., filed Oct. 11, 1972, and commonly assigned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing magnetic heads and, more particularly, to the formation of a surface thereon.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the cross-referenced Abbott et al. application, there are discussed the benefits made possible by thin film batch-fabricated magnetic heads. Also discussed are the problems of achieving the small dimensions and tolerances of such heads in-a practical manufacturing environment, The solution is described as connecting groups of single-turn head elements deposited on a substrate together with conductive bridges. Electrical conduction through the bridges is monitored during fast rough grinding to the throat height dimension and, after the bridges break, the underlying element conductors are monitored. Grinding continues until the monitored value indicates that the final dimension has been reached. In one embodiment, the head oscillates during grinding. Additional advances have occurred in the art since the invention in the cross-referenced application was made. For example, new head surface contours cannot be obtained by oscillating the head during grinding. Also, new applications for single-track heads make techniques utilizing bridges spanning two or more elements impractical. It has become necessary to monitor electric current through a single-track magnetic head while the head is continuously rotating about an axis passing through the surface being formed.

Single-track, thin film, batch-fabricated magnetic heads are known. Bajorek et al. in an article in the October, 1973, IBM TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE BUL- LETIN at page 1372, describe a single-turn magnetore sistive recording head incorporating copper or gold conductors. Landler, in an article in the May, 1969, IBM TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE BULLETIN, pages 17921793, suggests monitoring the resistance of an extra conductor, surrounding a single-turn head, during lapping until current conduction is interrupted or becomes discontinuous. Landler appears to require four external leads.

A rotatable fixture for a multitrack magnetic head is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,681,682 (C. M. Cox and R. B. Fischer, filed Dec. 21, 1970, issued Aug. 1, 1972, and assigned to International Business Machines Corporation). This fixture connects each tracks winding, in turn, to testing equipment including impedance measuring circuits. A continuously rotating two-terminal carbon resistor is monitored by a Wheatstone bridge in U.S. Pat. No. 3,105,288 (D. E. Johnson and .l. L. Owens, filed Feb. 27. 1959, issued Oct. 1, 1963, and assigned to Western Electric Company, Incorporated). Each resistor terminal is connected to the bridge through a single slip ring brush combination. A Kelvin bridge (Dawes, Electrical Engineering, pages 169-170, McGraw-Hill, 1952) provides vastly greater accuracy than a Wheatstone bridge, but requires four connections for a two-terminal, unknown resistance. Slip ring assemblies having more than one brush per ring are commercially available.

Thus, there is no suggestion in the prior art of a unified solution to the problem of monitoring, during surface formation, current through a head while it is in continuous rotation about an axis through the surface being formed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This problem is solved by a stationary Kelvin bridge monitoring a continuously rotating multi-lead head through multiple contact surface rings and a greater number of contactors. In one embodiment, two slip rings are connected to rotate with the head. and four stationary brushes are connected to the bridge. In another aspect of the invention, the head rotates about an axis which passes through a surface formed as a result of contact with a forming agent. Contact between the head and the agent occurs as a result of relative motion along the axis. In one embodiment, the head is axially moved toward an abrasive initiated by an external signal. When a desired resistance value is detected, the axial movement is terminated and, ultimately. reversed.

The foregoing objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the tool, head and detection circuit used in the invention.

FIGS. 2A-2C are logic diagrams illustrating controls for operating the invention.

FIG. 3A includes a cross-sectional view ofa tool used in the invention.

FIG. 3B is a cross-section through plane 3B-3B in FIG. 3A.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS General Description Referring first to FIG. I, the invention will first be de scribed schematically to explain the underlying principles. A head 10, shown split into two

sections

11 and 12, includes layers 13 and I4 and a magnetoresistive element 15. The layer 13 is preferably a highly conductive material belonging to the class of those materials exhibiting the highest conductivity, such as gold. and is placed in intimate contact with another highly conductive material 14 which need not be as conductive, how' ever, as the material of the layer 13. For example, the layer 14 may be copper. The layers I3 and 14 are placed on a surface of

sections

11 and 12 which is constructed of a nonmagnetic, relatively nonconductive material such as plastic or ferrite. The

layers

13 and 14 together form two three-segment, generally U-shaped sections. The outer U-shaped section may be viewed as ending at

points

16 and 18, and the inner Ushaped section may be viewed as ending at

points

16 and 17. The inner U-shaped section includes a magnetoresistive element but. depending on the type of head. it may be completely magnetoresistive or it may be a single-turn, purely conductive, element. The

points

16 and 17 are externally connected to leads 19 and 20, and the

points

17 and 18 are internally interconnected. For purposes of illustration, a wire is shown as interconnecting

points

17 and 18. but alternatively. the depositing operation would merely close the gap between

points

17 and 18. When the

sections

11 and 12 are closed together. a plane 21 is defined. This is the starting surface prior to a finishing operation for forming a spherical surface contour generally indicated by the dashed line 22. The process of removing material from the top plane 21 to the curved plane 22 necessarily results in the rupture of the middle segment of the outer section.

The removal of the material is achieved by rotating the head about a central axis 36 passing through the

planes

21 and 22. The point at which the middle segment of the outer section is ruptured is monitored through leads l9 and by a resistance bridge arrangement to be described. It is necessary, therefore. to make available to the bridge signals from the

lines

19 and 20 during rotation of the head 10. This is accomplished by a pair of

slip rings

23 and 24, each contacted by a plurality of

brushes

25 and 26. As is well known in the art, a very accurate resistance measuring instrument is the Kelvin bridge; for example, one known commercially as the Keithley Ohmmeter. The Kelvin bridges accuracy is achieved by providing four input terminals to measure an unknown quantity X. Two of the four terminals of the bridge are connected to the upper commutating ring or slip ring 23 via two pairs of brushes 25, each being connected together to reduce noise and improve sensitivity. Similarly, the other two bridge terminals are connected to the lower commutation ring or slip ring 24 by two pairs of brushes 26. The bridge provides an output through an amplifier 27 indicating by a null that the unknown resistance may be calculated from the values of variable resistors A. B and R in accordance with the relation (if the ratio A/B is the same as the ratio a/b). In normal operation, variable resistors A and B are preset in the range of the expected resistance value, and resistance R is varied until a null occurs. This may be performed by a motor 31 driven by the signal from the amplifier 27. As long as there is a signal from the amplifier 27, resistance R will be adjusted one way or the other. depending upon the signal polarity. Eventually the resistance R will be adjusted to provide a null from amplifier 27, and the unknown resistance X may be calculated.

This calculation is performed by the controls shown in FIGS. 2A-2C which will now be described. The positions of the resistors A, B and R are sensed by

position indicators

28, 29 and 30 which place corresponding position signals on lines A, B and R of bus 35. The contacts ofa switch 33 are also connected to the bus 35 via a wire 34. This switch is operated once for every revolution of cam 32 connected to the central axis 36 of the head 10.

Detailed Description of Structure Referring now to FIG. 2A, there is illustrated one logic configuration capable of performing a calculation for determining the unknown resistance X. If desired. other configurations, or an appropriately programmed computer such as an IBM I800 Data Processing System. may be substituted. For simplicity. the following explanation assumes the transfer of digital information through single blocks actually representing multiple parallel or serial positions. Signals on the bus 35 from the bridge are gated into AND circuits 201. 202 and 203 when a measure and store signal occurs on line 211 from additional controls in FIG. 2C, to be explained. The output of AND circuit 201 digitally represents the setting of resistor A, the output of AND circuit 202 dig itally represents the setting of resistor B, and the output of AND circuit 203 digitally represents the setting of resistor R. The divide block 204 digitally calculates the ratio A/B and the multiple block 205 multiplies this ratio times R to give the digital quantity which is then supplied to a zero detector 206, a comparator 207 and an X storage register 200. In the foregoing, it will be understood that digital representations could instead be analog. The output of the zero detector 206 is sensed by the AND circuit 212 whenever there is a measure and store signal on line 211 to give an output indicating when the quantity X equals zero, an abnormal condition. An XLim quantity, representing a predetermined resistance value, is stored in a register 210 via AND circuit 209 from an external entry mechanism such as a keyboard 208. The XLim register 210 contents and the calculated quantity X are compared in a comparator 207 and a signal occurs on line 219 when the X quantity equals XLim and a measure and store signal occurs. Line 219 remains activated until X is less than XLim. The calculated quantity X is also stored in the X register 200, which is reset by every measure and store signal on line 211, and is gated by a signal on a display line 214 through AND circuit 215 to an X display 216 or an X recorder 217 or other visual display or recording mechanism.

FIG. 2B shows a circuit for counting the number of head 10 rotations. In FIG. 1, the cam 32 operates the switch 33 to provide a single signal on the line 34 for each head rotation. In FIG. 2B, the output of AND circuit 221 sets a flip-flop 220 to the one state whenever a head rotation signal occurs on line 34 and then dis ables the AND circuit 221 via the zero output of the flip-flop 220. The one output of the flip-flop 220 causes a pulse from the single-shot 222 to step a three-position ring counter 223. The output of the single-shot 222 also resets the flip-flop 220 to enable it to receive the next head rotation signal. When the ring counter 223 output is either one or two, there will be an output n 3 on line 225 from the OR circuit 224. This occurs for the first and second turns of the heads and multiples thereof. There will be an output m on the line 226 when the ring counter 223 is set to position three (which occurs every third turn of the head).

Referring to FIG. 2C, there is shown a logic diagram for utilizing and generating control signals necessary to the operation of the circuits of FIGS. 2A and 2B. Initially, all flip-flops and counters are reset by a signal from line 246 occurring at the end of a previous cycle of operation. A start signal on line 227 from an external source (not shown) sets the flip-flop 218 to the one condition. enabling AND circuit 228 to pass a series of clock pulses from a clock 223 which step a ring counter 236 from position to position in sequence. As the ring counter 236 is stepped, AND circuits 229-234 are en' abled, one at a time, to pass a pulse from clock 235. Flip-flop 239 is set to place a signal on the line 244 and initiate a down feed" grind when the ring counter 236 is in position a and a clock pulse occurs from the clock 235. AND circuit 230 causes a measure and store signal to occur on the line 211 at ring counter position b, upon the occurrence of a clock pulse from clock 235, after single-shot 237 supplies an initial store pulse or if a flip-flop 240 (indicating three head rotations) has been previously set to the one state. At ring counter position b, flip-flop 241 is set to the one state when X=XLim. When ring counter 236 output c occurs, AND circuit 231 causes a display signal to appear on the output line 214 and AND circuit 242 is also enabled. AND circuit 242 is utilized if flip-flop 241 was previously set to the one state (if a limit indication X=XLim occurred on signal line 219 to AND circuit 234) to cause a "retract grind signal on line 245 and, after a delay determined by delay circuit 243, to provide a signal on line 246 resetting all flip-flops and counters. At ring counter output d, the flip-flop 240 is held in the reset position via AND circuit 232 if the number of head turns has not yet reached three. At ring counter output e, the flip-flop 240 is set to the one state by an AND circuit 233, during a previous cycle of the ring counter 236, when there is an n =3 signal on line 226 indicating that a third head turn has occurred.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, there is shown a detailed view of a tool utilizing the invention. The head is mounted in a collet 301 and connected via leads 302 to connectors attached to brushes 25 in contact with commutating or

slip rings

23 and 24. Only the upper set 25 of two sets of

brushes

25 and 26 is shown. This will be better understood if reference is made to FIG. 3B which is a cross-section through plane 3B-3B in H6. 3A. A supporting. rotating armature 303 is shown surrounding, and attached to. a drive shaft 305. Upper brush assembly 25 and lower brush assembly 26 are stationary in a support 350 while the upper slip ring 23 and the lower slip ring 24 rotate with the armature assembly 303. Bearings are provided between the shaft 305 and a portion 304 ofthe support 350. The stationary support 350 is fastened to a base member 312 by means of bolts 311 or other fasteners. The shaft 305 is turned in the direction shown by a belt 307 which is driven by a motor 310. For illlustration, pulleys 306, 308 and 309 are shown, but it is understood that these pulleys and the belt 307 may be replaced by a gear mechanism or the like. The shaft 305 also carries the cam 32 which operates the switch 33 to supply signals on line 34 for every turn of the shaft 305. The entire mechanism so far described may be mounted on a mounting plate 313 which is vertically movable relative to a stationary plate 314 restricted by

guides

317 and 318. When

plates

313 and 314 move toward each other, the motion is called down feed" and retract" when they move apart. The motion may be obtained by means of a hydraulic actuator 31S driving a shaft 316 or equivalent mechanism such as solenoids, racks, etc. The vertical movement along an axial line through shaft 305 brings the head 10 into contact with a contoured surface of an illustrative grinding wheel 301 while the head is rotated by the motor 310. It will be understood that the grinding wheel 300 could instead be brought into contact with the head 10 by axially moving the grinding wheel toward the head while the head remains in a fixed vertical position. As an alterna' tive. the grinding wheel 300 could be replaced by lapping tape or by other abrasive removal techniques such as abrasive blasting. The grinder may be a Gallmeyer and Livingston Model 350. The head is illustratively turned at revolutions per minute. and. if lapping tape is used, it would be drawn lengthwise and also oscillated widthwise. The entire operation takes on the order of 30 to 45 seconds.

Detailed Description of Operation The operation of the invention will now be described with reference to FlGS. 2A-2C. It will be understood that the descriptive operations control signals causing corresponding operations effecting FIGS. 1 and 3A.

Referring first to FIG. 2C, all counters and flip-flops are in the reset condition, and a quantity XLim=X is entered into the XLim register 210. A start signal 227 sets the flip-flop 218 to the one state. supplying clock pulses 235 to the ring counter 236 and sequentially selecting AND circuits 229234. A signal on output line 244 initiates a down feed grind to begin the grinding operation. The next step of the ring counter 236 causes a signal on line 211, measure and store, after there have been three turns of the head as indicated by a signal on line 226 from FIG. 2B. The signal on the line 211, measure and store, causes (FIG. 2A) the quantities A, B and R on the bus 35 from the bridge to be calculated and compared in the comparator 207 to the quantity X stored in the X limit register 210. The X register 200 is reset at this time, and the currently calculated quantity X is then stored therein. It is assumed that the first comparison will indicate that the grinding has not yet reached the desired relationship of resistance X to desired resistance (XLim=X). There will, thus. not be an output on the X=XLim line 219. When the ring counter 236 steps to the c position. the AND circuit 231 will generate a signal on display line 214 which activates AND circuit 215 to send the current contents of X register 200 to the X display 216 and the X recorder 217. When the ring counter 236 reaches d. the number of head turns as indicated by a signal on the

lines

225 and 226 are tested and the flip-flop 240 is accordingly set. There will be another output from the flip-flop 240 only if the number of turns as indicated by a signal on line 226 equals three. in which case there will be another measure and store signal 211. Otherwise, there will not be a measure and store signal. When the ring counter 236 again steps to position b, flip-flop 241 will be set to the one state only if the quantity calculated and stored in the X register 200 equals or exceeds the quantity X stored in the X limit register 210. The operation is repeated if this does not occur. If, however, XLim=X, the flip-flop 241 is set to the one state, and the AND circuit 242 will, at the next 0 time of the ring counter 236, cause the grinder to retract. Subsequently, all flip-flops and counters are reset.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for forming the surface contour of a multi-lead single-track magnetic head element having a portion. removed during surface formation, which has an electrical characteristic monitorable through said leads. comprising:

an abrasive material shaped to include a complement of the surface contour to be formed;

a continuously rotatable armature for fixedly retain ing the magnetic head, said armature being axially movable to bring the head surface into contact with the abrasive material;

a plurality of slip rings. one for each head lead, fastened to the rotatable armature and rotated therewith;

a plurality of conductors for connecting each slip ring to a different head lead;

a support, stationary with respect to the armature, including a brush surface coextensive and adjacent the slip rings;

a plurality of electrical brushes mounted about the support brush surface, so that each brush contacts a slip ring, there being more brushes than slip rings and more than one brush contacting each slip ring;

a resistance detector, having at least four input terminals for each unknown resistance;

conductors interconnecting the brushes and the detectors input terminals to present electrical characteristic of aforesaid head portion to the detector as a portion of an unknown resistance;

monitoring means, connected to the resistance detector for generating a stop signal when the resistance detector detects a predetermined resistance; and

control means connected to said rotatable armature and to said monitoring means operable by an external start signal to initiate rotation and axial movement of the armature and operable upon the occurrence of a stop signal to terminate axial movement.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there are provided two head leads, two slip rings connected thereto and eight brushes. each slip ring being contacted by four brushes.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the resistance detector has a pair of voltage input terminals and a pair of current input terminals, the voltage input terminals being connected to two brushes contacting each of the two slip rings and the current input terminals being connected to two different brushes contacting each of the two slip rings.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the magnetic head includes a highly conductive section and a magnetoresistive section and there are provided two head leads connected to both sections.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein there are provided two head leads, two slip rings connected thereto and eight brushes, each slip ring being contacted by four brushes.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the resistance detector has a pair of voltage input terminals and a pair of current input terminals. the voltage input terminals being connected to two brushes contacting each of the two slip rings and the current input terminals being connected to two different brushes contacting each of the two slip rings.

7. Apparatus for forming a single transducer having a portion. removed during fabrication. which has an electrical characteristic monitorable through connected leads. including in combination:

a material, operable to remove the transducer portion during fabrication when the transducer and material are in contact;

a rotatable armature for fixedly retaining the transducer;

a plurality of slip rings fastened to the rotatable arma ture and rotated therewith;

a plurality of conductors for connecting selected slip rings to selected transducer leads; and

a plurality ofelectrical brushes mounted so that more than one brush contacts each slip ring.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further including:

a resistance detector. having more than two input terminals;

conductors interconnecting the brushes and the detectors input terminals to present electrical characteristic of aforesaid head portion to the detector;

control means connected to said rotatable armature and to said monitoring means operable by an external start signal to initiate rotation of the armature and contact between the transducer and material and operable upon the occurrence of a stop signal to terminate contact between the transducer and material.

9. A machine for fabricating a transducer having a portion, removed during fabrication, which has an electrical characteristic monitorable through connected leads, comprising in combination:

a fixture for retaining the transducer and rotating the transducer about an axis through aforesaid transducer portion;

a plurality of contact surfaces;

a plurality of electrical contacts arranged so that more than one contact contacts each contact surface;

an output; and

means for connecting transducer leads to the output through the contact surfaces and the contacts.

10. The combination of claim 9, further including:

a detector, having more than two input terminals;

conductors interconnecting aforesaid output and the detector's input terminals to present the electrical characteristic of aforesaid head portion to the detector;

monitoring means, connected to the detector for generating a stop signal when the detector detects a predetermined value; and

control means connected to said fixture and to said monitoring means operable by an external start signal to initiate contact between the transducer and material and operable upon the occurrence of a stop signal to terminate contact between the transducer and material.

I]. The combination comprising, during manufacturing of a transducer:

a material removing device;

a fully rotatable transducer operable to contact the material removing device, having a plurality of leads depending therefrom;

a plurality of slip rings. one connected to each lead of the transducer;

a plurality of brushes in contact with each slip ring;

and

a resistance measuring device having inputs connected to said brushes.

l2.'The combination of claim 11 wherein there is additionally provided a control means connected to the resistance measuring device for causing the transducer and material removing device to break contact.

13. Manufacturing apparatus including, during manufacturing:

a material removing device;

a transducer rotatable over more than a full turn, op-

erable to contact the material removing device, having a plurality of leads depending therefrom;

a plurality of contact surfaces;

a plurality of contacts for each surface;

a resistance measuring device having inputs; and conductors interconnecting the transducer leads and resistance measuring device through the contact surfaces and contacts.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein there is additionally provided a control means connected to the resistance measuring device for causing the transducer and material removing device to break contact.

15. A method for controlling the formation of the surface contour of a multilead magnetoresistive magnetic head;

retaining and rotating the magnetic head about an axis through the contour during relative axial feeding of the head surface and an abrasive material;

sensing the resistance of the head via slip rings connected to the head leads and a plurality of brushes contacting each slip ring;

generating a stop signal when the resistance substantially equals a predetermined resistance; and

terminating feeding when the stop signal occurs.

16. A method for controlling the formation of the surface contour of a multi-lead magnetic head;

rotating the magnetic head during axial feeding of the head surface and an abrasive material;

sensing the resistance of the head through contact surfaces and a plurality of contacts for each surface;

generating a signal when the resistance substantially equals a predetermined value; and

terminating feeding when the signal occurs.

17. Apparatus for fabricating a single two lead transducer having a portion, removed during fabrication. which has an electrical characteristic monitorable through four detector leads including:

a rotatable armature for fixedly retaining the transducer;

two slip rings fastened to the rotatable armature and rotated therewith;

two conductors for connecting each slip ring to a different transducer lead;

eight electrical brushes mounted so that two pairs of brushes contact each slip ring;

a resistance detector. having four terminals; and

four conductors interconnecting each pair of brushes to a different one of the detectors terminals.

18. A machine for manufacturing a two lead transducer having a portion, removed during fabrication. which has an electrical characteristic monitorable through four connected detection leads. said machine including in combination:

two contact surfaces each connected to a different transducer lead;

four pairs of electrical contacts arranged so that two pairs contact each contact surface and contacts in a pair are connected together;

a detector. having four detection terminals; and

four conductors interconnecting each of the detectors input terminals to a different one of the elec trical contact pairs.

19. Manufacturing apparatus for forming the surface contour of a transducer by monitoring the resistance of the transducer while the transducer contacts a material removing device. comprising:

a rotatable retainer for fixedly retaining the transducer and rotating the transducer more than 360;

at least two slip rings fastened to the retainer and connected to two electrical leads of said trans ducer; and

at least eight electrical contacts connected together into four pairs, two pairs contacting each slip ring.

20. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 19 further including:

a resistance detector, having at least four terminals;

and

at least four conductors interconnecting each pair of contacts and a different one of the detectors termirials.

21. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 20 further including:

control means connected to said retainer operable to terminate contact between the transducer and material removing device when the resistance detec tor detects a predetermined resistance.

22. The combination including, during manufacture:

a material removing device;

a fully rotatable transducer operable to contact the material removing device. having at least two leads depending therefrom;

at least two slip rings; one connected to each lead of the transducer;

at least two pairs of brushes in contact with each slip ring; and

a resistance measuring device having at least one input connected to each of said brush pairs.

23. The combination of claim 22 wherein there is additionally provided a control means connected to the resistance measuring device for causing the transducer and material removing device to break contact.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,921, 340

DATED November 25, 1975 INVENTOMS) 3 L. A. Johnson et al It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 60, "n 3" should read -n- 3--.

Column 4, line 63, "n78" should read -n=3-.

Column 8, lines 66 and 67, "manufacturing" should read manufacture.

Signed and Scaled this second D3) of August 1977 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON Atlesting Officer C. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks

Claims

1. Apparatus for forming the surface contour of a multi-lead single-track magnetic head element having a portion, removed during surface formation, which has an electrical characteristic monitorable through said leads, comprising: an abrasive material shaped to include a complement of the surface contour to be formed; a continuously rotatable armature for fixedly retaining the magnetic head, said armature being axially movable to bring the head surface into contact with the abrasive material; a plurality of slip rings, one for each head lead, fastened to the rotatable armature and rotated therewith; a plurality of conductors for connecting each slip ring to a different head lead; a support, stationary with respect to the armature, including a brush surface coextensive and adjacent the slip rings; a plurality of electrical brushes mounted about the support brush surface, so that each brush contacts a slip ring, there being more brushes than slip rings and more than one brush contacting each slip ring; a resistance detector, having at least four input terminals for each unknown resistance; conductors interconnecting the brushes and the detector''s input terminals to present electrical characteristic of aforesaid head portion to the detector as a portion of an unknown resistance; monitoring means, connected to the resistance detector for generating a stop signal when the resistance detector detects a predetermined resistance; and control means connected to said rotatable armature and to said monitoring means operable by an external start signal to initiate rotation and axial movement of the armature and operable upon the occurreNce of a stop signal to terminate axial movement.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there are provided two head leads, two slip rings connected thereto and eight brushes, each slip ring being contacted by four brushes.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the resistance detector has a pair of voltage input terminals and a pair of current input terminals, the voltage input terminals being connected to two brushes contacting each of the two slip rings and the current input terminals being connected to two different brushes contacting each of the two slip rings.

7. Apparatus for forming a single transducer having a portion, removed during fabrication, which has an electrical characteristic monitorable through connected leads, including in combination: a material, operable to remove the transducer portion during fabrication when the transducer and material are in contact; a rotatable armature for fixedly retaining the transducer; a plurality of slip rings fastened to the rotatable armature and rotated therewith; a plurality of conductors for connecting selected slip rings to selected transducer leads; and a plurality of electrical brushes mounted so that more than one brush contacts each slip ring.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further including: a resistance detector, having more than two input terminals; conductors interconnecting the brushes and the detector''s input terminals to present electrical characteristic of aforesaid head portion to the detector; monitoring means, connected to the resistance detector for generating a stop signal when the resistance detector detects a predetermined resistance; and control means connected to said rotatable armature and to said monitoring means operable by an external start signal to initiate rotation of the armature and contact between the transducer and material and operable upon the occurrence of a stop signal to terminate contact between the transducer and material.

9. A machine for fabricating a transducer having a portion, removed during fabrication, which has an electrical characteristic monitorable through connected leads, comprising in combination: a material, operable to remove the transducer portion during fabrication when the transducer and material are in contact; a fixture for retaining the transducer and rotating the transducer about an axis through aforesaid transducer portion; a plurality of contact surfaces; a plurality of electrical contacts arranged so that more than one contact contacts each contact surface; an output; and means for connecting transducer leads to the output through the contact surfaces and the contacts.

10. The combination of claim 9, further including: a detector, having more than two input terminals; conductors interconnecting aforesaid output and the detector''s input terminals to present the electrical characteristic of aforesaid head portion to the detector; monitoring means, connected to the detector for generating a stop signal when the detector detects a predetermined value; and control means connected to said fixture and to said monitoring means operable by an external start signal to initiate contact between the transducer and material and opErable upon the occurrence of a stop signal to terminate contact between the transducer and material.

11. The combination comprising, during manufacturing of a transducer: a material removing device; a fully rotatable transducer operable to contact the material removing device, having a plurality of leads depending therefrom; a plurality of slip rings, one connected to each lead of the transducer; a plurality of brushes in contact with each slip ring; and a resistance measuring device having inputs connected to said brushes.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein there is additionally provided a control means connected to the resistance measuring device for causing the transducer and material removing device to break contact.

13. Manufacturing apparatus including, during manufacturing: a material removing device; a transducer rotatable over more than a full turn, operable to contact the material removing device, having a plurality of leads depending therefrom; a plurality of contact surfaces; a plurality of contacts for each surface; a resistance measuring device having inputs; and conductors interconnecting the transducer leads and resistance measuring device through the contact surfaces and contacts.

15. A method for controlling the formation of the surface contour of a multi-lead magnetoresistive magnetic head; retaining and rotating the magnetic head about an axis through the contour during relative axial feeding of the head surface and an abrasive material; sensing the resistance of the head via slip rings connected to the head leads and a plurality of brushes contacting each slip ring; generating a stop signal when the resistance substantially equals a predetermined resistance; and terminating feeding when the stop signal occurs.

16. A method for controlling the formation of the surface contour of a multi-lead magnetic head; rotating the magnetic head during axial feeding of the head surface and an abrasive material; sensing the resistance of the head through contact surfaces and a plurality of contacts for each surface; generating a signal when the resistance substantially equals a predetermined value; and terminating feeding when the signal occurs.

17. Apparatus for fabricating a single two lead transducer having a portion, removed during fabrication, which has an electrical characteristic monitorable through four detector leads including: a material, operable to remove the transducer portion during fabrication when the transducer and material are in contact; a rotatable armature for fixedly retaining the transducer; two slip rings fastened to the rotatable armature and rotated therewith; two conductors for connecting each slip ring to a different transducer lead; eight electrical brushes mounted so that two pairs of brushes contact each slip ring; a resistance detector, having four terminals; and four conductors interconnecting each pair of brushes to a different one of the detector''s terminals.

18. A machine for manufacturing a two lead transducer having a portion, removed during fabrication, which has an electrical characteristic monitorable through four connected detection leads, said machine including in combination: a material, operable to remove the transducer portion during fabrication when the transducer and material are in contact; a fixture for retaining the transducer and rotating the transducer about an axis through aforesaid transducer portion; two contact surfaces each connected to a different transducer lead; four pairs of electrical contacts arranged so that two pairs contact each contact surface and contacts in a pair are connected togetheR; a detector, having four detection terminals; and four conductors interconnecting each of the detector''s input terminals to a different one of the electrical contact pairs.

19. Manufacturing apparatus for forming the surface contour of a transducer by monitoring the resistance of the transducer while the transducer contacts a material removing device, comprising: a rotatable retainer for fixedly retaining the transducer and rotating the transducer more than 360*; at least two slip rings fastened to the retainer and connected to two electrical leads of said transducer; and at least eight electrical contacts connected together into four pairs, two pairs contacting each slip ring.

20. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 19 further including: a resistance detector, having at least four terminals; and at least four conductors interconnecting each pair of contacts and a different one of the detector''s terminals.

21. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 20 further including: control means connected to said retainer operable to terminate contact between the transducer and material removing device when the resistance detector detects a predetermined resistance.

22. The combination including, during manufacture: a material removing device; a fully rotatable transducer operable to contact the material removing device, having at least two leads depending therefrom; at least two slip rings, one connected to each lead of the transducer; at least two pairs of brushes in contact with each slip ring; and a resistance measuring device having at least one input connected to each of said brush pairs.